Multi-player gaming machine and gaming method thereof

ABSTRACT

As the result of a roulette game with a roulette device, a bonus game is executed when a roulette ball is received in a bonus pocket among pockets formed on a wheel. A bonus ball is launched into a path area formed through a plurality of stations by a launching device when the bonus game is executed. A station at which the bonus ball has finally stopped is determined to have won the bonus game and is provided a bonus payout. Consequently, this enables to provide a versatile game which the player may easily understand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-135559, filed on May 15, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multi-player gaming machine including a plurality of game terminals having a console for accepting a player's operation such as a roulette gaming machine or a bingo gaming machine. Specifically the present invention relates to a multi-player gaming machine making a ball move along a path area formed through a plurality of game terminals in a predetermined order to payout game media to the game terminal in which the ball has stopped, thereby enabling to provide a versatile game which the player may easily understand.

2. Description of Related Art

With a multi-player gaming machine such as a roulette gaming machine, a bingo gaming machine, and a horse race gaming machine using medals as game media, a player buys or borrows a plurality of medals from a medal lending machine and then insert the medals into a gaming machine to play games. If the player wins the game, a predetermined number of medals are paid out. Therefore, if the player may obtain multiple medals, he/she may continually enjoy the game without newly buying or borrowing medals.

Further, such multi-player gaming machine may include a gaming machine in which a game is played using a ball actually rolling inside the gaming machine. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei-7-265492 (pages 5 to 7, FIGS. 1 to 4) describes a ball gaming machine in which game media are paid out to a player based on types of winning pockets after a ball rolling on a spiral rail has been received in the winning pocket formed in a field portion. By using the ball rolling inside the gaming machine in this way, it is made possible to create a higher realistic sensation than a gaming machine using an image.

However, in the above-mentioned ball gaming machine, a ball rolls basically in the central part of the machine, which cannot be seen from a player playing around the machine in some cases. Specifically, in the gaming machine having a large size cabinet, a dead area to the player would occur and the ball rolls within the dead area. If the game proceeds without confirming the rolling ball, there is a possibility that the game terminates before the player understands the contents of the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a multi-player gaming machine that can provide a versatile game which the player may easily understand by executing a game in which a ball is rolled through a plurality of game terminals having a console for accepting a player's operation in order that the players around the machine can see the rolling ball.

The multi-player gaming machine according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a plurality of game terminals (for example, stations 4) having a console (for example, touch screen 50) for accepting a player's operation; a game control unit (for example, server CPU 81) configured to control a game; a payout unit (for example, station CPU 91, step S12 in FIG. 13) configured to provide a payout to the game terminal according to an operation result on the console and an outcome of the game controlled by the game control unit; a path area (for example, path area 17) formed through a plurality of the game terminals; a ball (for example, bonus ball 18) rolling through the plurality of the game terminals along the path area in a predetermined order; a stop unit (for example, ball stopper 20) formed in each of the game terminals and configured to stop the ball rolling on the path area; and a special payout unit (for example, station CPU 91, step S12 in FIG. 13) configured to provide a special payout to the game terminal in which the ball has been stopped by the stop unit.

Incidentally, a payout by “a payout unit” and a payout by “a special payout unit” may be performed simultaneously or at different timings.

Here, it is preferable that the multi-player game machine (for example, roulette gaming machine 1) further comprises a launching unit (for example, launching device 19) configured to launch the ball into the path area. In addition, it is preferable that the game controlled by the game control unit includes a base game and a special game which is different from the base game, the multi-player gaming machine further comprises a special game execution determining unit (for example, server CPU 81, step S110 in FIG. 13) configured to determine whether or not to execute the special game, and the launching unit (for example, launching device 19) launches the ball (for example, bonus ball 18) into the path area (for example, path area 17) when the special game execution determining unit determines to execute the special game.

Further, it is preferable that the multi-player game machine (for example, roulette gaming machine 1) further comprises: a wheel (for example, wheel 22) on which a plurality of number pockets (for example, number pockets 23) is arranged; a pocket specifying unit (for example, roulette ball 27 [and ball throw-in apparatus]) configured to specify at least one number pocket among the plurality of number pockets; and a winning number detecting unit (for example, server CPU 81, step S109 in FIG. 13) configured to detect a number of the number pocket specified by the pocket specifying unit as a winning number. And it is also preferable that the payout unit provides a payout based on the winning number detected by the winning number detecting unit.

Further, it is preferable that the multi-player game machine (for example, roulette gaming machine 1) further comprises a bonus pocket setting unit (for example, server CPU 81) configured to set a predetermined number pocket as a bonus pocket among the plurality of number pockets. And it is also preferable that the launching unit launches the ball (for example, bonus ball 18) into the path area (for example, path area 17) when the bonus pocket has been specified by the pocket specifying unit.

Furthermore, the bonus pocket that may provide an advantageous payout to the player can be set on the wheel without modifying a structure of the wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a schematic construction of a roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a station of the roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plain view of a roulette wheel according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a menu screen displayed on a liquid crystal display of the server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a bonus pocket setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal display of the server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a bet screen shown on a display panel.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the station according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing showing a memory area of ROM of the roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing showing a memory area of RAM of the roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a game processing program of the roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the game processing program of the roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a sub-processing program of a bonus game processing of the roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing showing a flow of a bonus game executed in the roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a plurality of slot machines when the bonus game is executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment in which a multi-player gaming machine of the present invention has been embodied as a roulette gaming machine will be described in detail with reference to drawings. Here, the roulette gaming machine is a gaming machine with which a player bets game media such as his/her own medals on his/her expected number and receives a predetermined number of medals at winning.

First, a schematic construction of a roulette gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the schematic construction of the roulette gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the roulette gaming machine 1 basically includes: a cabinet 2 constituting a main body; a roulette device 3 provided in the approximately central part of a top surface of the cabinet 2; a plurality of stations 4 (twelve stations 4 in this embodiment) provided around the roulette device 3; and an electroluminescence display 5 provided above the cabinet 2.

The station 4 includes at least a medal insertion slot 6 into which game media such as coins or medals used for a game are inserted; a console 7 having a plurality of control buttons and the like with which predetermined instructions are input by the player; and a display panel 8 displaying game images. The station 4 functions as a gaming area accepting a bet operation by the player. The player may advance the game by operating a touch screen or the console 7, while viewing the image displayed on the display panel 8.

On a front side of each station 4, a medal payout opening 9 is provided. Further, a speaker 10 for playing music and sound effects is provided in a right upper portion of the display panel 8 of each station 4.

Above the display panel 8 of each station 4, a WIN lamp 11 is provided. Here, each player is notified of a winning by lighting the WIN lamp of the station 4 which has won a base game or a bonus game described later.

A medal sensor is provided inside the medal insertion slot 6 (see FIG. 9). The medal sensor identifies the game media such as medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 6 and counts the inserted medals. Further, a hopper is provided inside the medal payout opening 9 (see FIG. 9). The hopper payouts a predetermined number of medals from the medal payout opening 9.

A server 13 to be described later is arranged inside a corner 12 of the cabinet 2. The server 13 is housed in the corner 12 so that the player may not operate it. However, it is made possible to operate the server 13 by opening a corner door 14 with a key switch. Then, various settings of the roulette gaming machine 1 and a setting of a bonus pocket may be changed by operating the server 13.

A JP credit display 15 for displaying the JP credits is provided on the electroluminescence display 5. In the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, 0.5% of the credits which have been bet on the base game (roulette game) using a bet screen 61 at all the twelve stations 4 will be accumulatively stored. The accumulated JP credits are paid out to the station 4 which has won the bonus game to be described later. In addition, the JP credit display 15 is provided on a top of the electroluminescence display 5 so that display contents thereof can be seen by all the players playing at the stations 4.

In the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a path area (lane) 17 is formed inside the station 4. Here, the path area 17 is an area along which a bonus ball 18 rolls when the bonus game is executed. The path area 17 is formed of a circular transparent pipe running through twelve stations 4 around the roulette gaming machine 1. The bonus ball 18 passes through the stations 4 in the order of counterclockwise along the path area 17.

A launching device 19 for launching the bonus ball 18 into the path area 17 is provided with the path area 17 (see FIG. 8). The launching device 19 is configured as a solenoid or spring plunger injector and sends the bonus ball 18 into the path area 17 at a predetermined speed.

A ball stopper 20 is provided on the path area 17 in front of each station 4. The ball stopper 20 is a stop unit configured to stop the bonus ball 18 rolling through the path area 17. The ball stopper 20 is formed into a hemispherical pocket in accordance with a shape of the bonus ball 18 (see FIG. 2). Further, a ball detection sensor and a ball collection hole (not shown) are provided on a bottom of the ball stopper 20. The ball detection sensor detects the ball stopper 20 at which the bonus ball 18 has stopped. The bonus ball 18 which has been stopped by the ball stopper 20 is collected from the ball collection hole and transferred to the launching device 19.

Then, as described later, the bonus game is executed after the ball 27 has fallen into a bonus pocket 24 at the roulette device 3 (see FIG. 3). The bonus ball 18 is launched by the launching device 19 when the bonus game has started. And then, the bonus ball 18 rolls along the path area 17 counterclockwise. Thereafter, the rolling bonus ball 18 is gradually decelerated, and the bonus ball 18 stops in any of the ball stoppers 20. Then the station 4 of the ball stopper 20 in which the bonus ball 18 has stopped is determined to have won the bonus game. A special payout corresponding to the JP credits is provided to the station 4.

Subsequently, the path area 17 passing through the stations 4 will be described in detail referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a top view of the station 4 of the roulette gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the path area 17 is arranged so as to pass inside the stations 4. Specifically, the path area 17 passes through behind the display panel 8. The display panel 8 is a transmissive liquid crystal display panel. The display panel 8 is non-transmissive during the base game and displays a bet screen 61 (see FIG. 7) having a betting board 60. As a result, the path area 17 is not visible from the player playing with the station 4.

On the other hand, approximately a half of the screen of the display panel 8 can be transmissive during the bonus game and the player can see the path area 17 through the lower part of the display panel 8. As a result, the player can see the bonus ball 18 rolling on the path area 17 during the bonus game through the display panel 8.

Next, the construction of the roulette device 3 of the present embodiment will be described referring to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a plain view of the roulette device 3 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the roulette device 3 basically includes a frame 21 fixed to the cabinet 2 and a wheel 22 rotatably housed on the inner area of the frame 21. Then, number pockets 23 and a bonus pocket 24 are formed on a top surface of the wheel 22 (38 pockets in total in the present embodiment). A number plate 25 is provided on the outside of each number pocket 23. Each number plate 25 has one of the numbers “0”, “1” to “36” which is corresponding to each number pocket 23. Namely, the thirty-seven number pockets 23 each of which is assigned one of the numbers “0”, “1” to “36” are provided on the wheel 22. Further, a bonus indication plate 26 is provided on the outside of the bonus pocket 24. The bonus pocket 24 has a letter “B” which is corresponding to the bonus pocket 24.

Here, the bonus pocket 24 is located in the same position as that of “00” number pocket of the conventional roulette device 3 with 38 number pockets. Further, the bonus pocket 24 has the same shape as that of the “00” number pocket (and other pockets). The bonus indication plate 26 is made by putting a seal of “B” on the “00” number plate 25. Therefore, in the roulette device 3 of the present embodiment, the bonus pocket 24 may be set on the wheel 22 in place of “00” number pocket without modifying the construction of the conventional wheel 22.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the bonus pocket 24 is provided in place of “00” number pocket. However, the bonus pocket 24 is not limited to one. For example, “0” number pocket 23 may be further set as the bonus pocket 24. In this case, a setting for adding the bonus pocket 24 is executed in the server 13 by a predetermined operation.

A ball throw-in opening 36 is opened on the inner periphery surface of the frame 21. The ball throw-in opening 36 is connected with a ball throw-in device (not shown). A ball (roulette ball) 27 is thrown in from the ball throw-in opening 36 onto the wheel 22 by the ball throw-in device. Further, a hemispherical transmissive acrylic cover 28 covers over the roulette wheel (the frame 21 and the wheel 22).

A pocket detection device (not shown) is installed beneath the wheel 22. The pocket detection device detects the pocket 23, 24 into which the ball 27 has fallen. Further, a ball collecting device (not shown) is also installed beneath the wheel 22. The ball collecting device collects the ball 27 in the pocket 23, 24 after the game terminates. Incidentally, since the ball throw-in device, the ball detection device, and the ball collecting device are known publicity, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted here.

The frame 21 is slightly tilted inward and a guide wall 29 is formed in the intermediary part thereof. The thrown-in ball 27 is guided and rotates along the guide wall 29 by its centrifugal force. As the ball 27 reduces its rotation speed and loses its centrifugal force, it rolls down the slope of frame 21 inward and reaches the rotating wheel 22.

Then, the ball 27 that has reached the wheel 22 passes over the plates 25, 26 on the outer periphery of the rotating wheel 22 and falls into any of the number pockets 23 or the bonus pocket 24. As a result, a number of the number plate 25 of the number pocket 23 into which the ball 27 has fallen is detected as a winning number by the pocket detection device when the ball 27 has fallen into the number pocket 23. Alternatively, the after-mentioned bonus game with the bonus ball 18 is started when the ball 27 has fallen into the bonus pocket 24.

Next, the server 13 provided in the roulette gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described referring to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the server 13 according to the present embodiment.

Here, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a state where the corner door 14 is opened. The server 13 is installed within an internal space 31.

The server 13 is connected to each station 4. The server 13 transmits an instruction signal to each station 4 to controls each station 4 leadingly and executes the game. Further, the setting relating to the game control of the roulette gaming machine 1 can be performed by operating the server 13. The setting relating to adding or deleting the bonus pocket 24 can be also performed by operating the server 13.

As shown in FIG. 4, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 32 and a key board 33 are connected to the server 13. A menu screen 40 (see FIG. 5) or a bonus pocket setting screen 42 (see FIG. 6) which are described in detail later are displayed on the LCD 32. The keyboard 33 is an operation unit having a plurality of keys. A maintenance staff operates the keyboard 33, while viewing the menu screen 40 or the bonus pocket setting screen 42 on the LCD 32 to perform various settings of the roulette gaming machine 1 and the setting of adding or deleting the bonus pocket 24.

Here, in the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the after-mentioned bonus game is executed when the ball 27 has fallen into the bonus pocket 24 of the wheel 22. A detailed adjustment of the odds is made to be possible by changing the number of the bonus pockets 24 with the server 13.

Subsequently, the menu screen 40 and the bonus pocket setting screen 42 displayed on the LCD 32 of the server 13 will be described. FIG. 5 shows the menu screen 40 displayed on the LCD 32. FIG. 6 shows the bonus pocket setting screen 42 displayed on the LCD 32.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of setting items 41 (8 items in the present embodiment) of the roulette gaming machine 1 is displayed on the menu screen 40. The maintenance staff selects the desired setting item 41 to perform various settings (e.g., volume setting, testing operation) by the keyboard 33. Further, if a “BONUS POCKET MENU” has been selected among the setting items 41, the bonus pocket setting screen 42 is displayed. Adding and deleting the bonus pocket 24 is set up on the bonus pocket setting screen 42.

As shown in FIG. 6, a number of the number pocket to be set up as the bonus pocket 24 among pockets on the wheel 22 (namely, a bonus number 43) is input on the bonus pocket setting screen 42. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, in the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, “00” is previously input as the bonus number 43 by the default setting before product shipment. Thus, “00” number pocket 23 is set up as the bonus pocket 24 as shown in FIG. 3.

The maintenance staff inputs numbers within the range of “00”, “0”, and “1” to “36”, as the bonus number 43 on the bonus pocket setting screen 42 via the keyboard 33. Then, it is made possible to change the input number pocket 23 to the bonus pocket 24. On the other hand, the maintenance staff may delete the bonus number 43 on the bonus pocket setting screen 42 via the keyboard 33. Then, it is made possible to change the deleted bonus pocket 24 to the normal number pocket 23. In addition, it is made possible to set up a plurality of bonus pockets 24 by inputting a plurality of bonus numbers 43.

The maintenance staff puts a seal on the number plate 25 of the number pocket 23 set as the bonus pocket 24 in order to change the normal number plate 25 to the bonus indication plate 26. On the other hand, it is made possible to return the bonus indication plate 26 to the normal number plate 25 by peeling off the seal of the bonus indication plate 26. The player, thereby, may visually discriminate the number pocket 23 from the bonus pocket 24 on the wheel 22.

Next, the construction of the console 7 and the display panel 8 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the console 7 is provided beside the display panel 8, and each button to be operated by the player is arranged thereon. Specifically, a bet confirmation button 47, a cash-out button 48, and a help button 49 are arranged from left to right when viewed from a position facing the station 4 (see FIG. 9).

The bet confirmation button 47 is pushed when the bet is confirmed after a after-mentioned bet operation on the display panel 8. After the bet has been confirmed, it is determined as a winning when the ball 27 has fallen into the number pocket 23 on which the player had placed the bet. When it is determined that the player has got the winning, the credits according to the number of bet chips are added to the player's current credits. Incidentally, the bet operation will be described later in detail.

The cash-out button 48 is pressed when the game is made terminated. When the cash-out button 48 is pressed, medals corresponding to the player's current credits (ordinarily, one medal per credit) obtained during the games are paid out from the medal payout opening 9.

The help button 49 is pressed when the player can't know how to operate. When the help button 4 is pressed, a help screen showing various operation information is displayed on the display panel 8 immediately thereafter.

On the other hand, the display panel 8 is a touch screen LCD. A touch screen 50 (see FIG. 9) is provided on a surface of the display panel 8. An operation is performed by touching an icon displayed on the LCD of the display panel 8 with a finger or the like. FIG. 7 shows one example of a display screen displayed on the display panel 8 during the game.

As shown in FIG. 7, the bet screen 61 with the betting board 60 is displayed on the display panel 8 during the game. Further, the player may bet chips using own credits by operating the bet screen 61.

First, the bet screen 61 for the base game will be described based on FIG. 7. The numbers “0”, “00”, “1” to “36” without the number of the bonus pocket 24 (e.g., “0”, “1” to “36” without “00” [set as the bonus pocket 24] in FIGS. 2 and 7) are arranged in a grid shape on the betting board 60 shown on the bet screen 61. Further, special bet areas (“odd or even number”, “red or black (color of the number plate)”, “the predetermined number ranges (e.g., “1 to 12”)” is also arranged in a grid shape.

A result history display 65, bet buttons 66, a payout result display 67, and a credit display 68 are displayed in a lower part of the betting board 60.

A result history of winning numbers of the past games is shown on the result history display 65 as a list. Here, one game is meant to be a series of operations in which the player places a bet at each station 4, the ball 27 falls into one of the pockets 23, 24, and a payout is provided to the player based on the winning number. Each time one game is finished, a new winning number is additionally displayed on the top and a history of a maximum of 16 winning numbers may be confirmed on the result history display 65.

Further, the player places a bet on the bet area 72 (displayed on a grid or a line forming grids) specified by the player with the bet buttons 66. The bet buttons 66 includes a 1-bet button 66A, a 5-bet button 66B, a 10-bet button 66C, and a 100-bet button 66D.

The player firstly specifies the bet area 72 by touching the screen with his/her finger to move a after-mentioned cursor 70. In this state, the player touches the 1-bet button 66A to place a bet per one chip (each time touching the 1-bet button 66A, the number of bets increases in the order of “1”->“2”->“3” . . . ). Further, the player touches the 5-bet button 66B to place a bet per five chips (each time touching the 5-bet button 66B, the number of bets increases in the order of “5”->“10”->“15” . . . ). Further, the player touches the 10-bet button 66C to place a bet per ten chips (each time touching the 10-bet button 66C with a finger, the number of bets increases in the order of “10”->“20”->“30” . . . ). Further, the player touches the 100-bet button 66D to place a bet per 100 chips (each time touching the 100-bet button 66D with a finger, the number of bets increases in the order of “100”->“200”->“300” . . . ).

Accordingly, the bet operation can be simplified when the player places a bet with a large amount of chips.

The payout result display 67 displays the number of chips bet by the player and the number of payout credits in the previous game. Here, the value obtained by subtracting the number of bet credits from the number of payout credits is equal to the number of credits which the player newly obtained in the previous game.

The credit display 68 displays the number of credits which the player possesses at present. The indication of the number of credits decreases according to the number of chips which the player has used for betting (one credit per one chip). Further, a payout is provided to the player when the number on which the player has bet is determined as the winning number, and the indication of the number of credits increases according to the payout. Incidentally, if the number of credits possessed by the player decreases to zero, the game terminates.

A bet time display 69 is provided above the betting board 60. The bet time display 69 indicates the remaining time for the player's betting. “20” is displayed on the bet time display 69 when an acceptance of the bet operation starts, and decreases one by one every one second. If the number on the bet time display 69 decreases to zero, the acceptance of the bet operation terminates. Further, the ball throw-in device is driven to throw in the ball 27 onto the wheel 22 when the remaining bet time becomes five seconds.

A JP display 73 for displaying the number of JP credits accumulated so far is provided on the right of the bet time display 69. Here, 0.5% of total credits bet at all the stations 4 are accumulatively displayed on the JP display 73. The number displayed on the JP display 73 is common at all the stations 4. In the bonus game which is executed when the ball 27 has fallen into the bonus pocket 24, the JP credits are paid out to the station 4 at which the bonus ball 18 has been stopped. An initial value (e.g. 50,000 credit points) is displayed on the JP display 73 after the JP payout. In addition, the accumulated number of the JP credits is also displayed on the JP credit display 15 on the electroluminescence display 5 (see FIG. 1).

Further, the cursor 70 indicating the bet area 72 which the player currently selects is displayed on the betting board 60. A chip mark 71 indicating the number of bet chips is displayed in the cursor 70. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the chip mark 71 of “7” placed in the grid “18” indicates that seven chips are being bet on number “18”. Incidentally, such a method of betting on only one number is referred to as “straight bet”.

The chip mark 71 of “1” placed in an intersecting point of the grids “5”, “6”, “8”, and “9” indicates that one chip is being bet on four numbers “5”, “6”, “8”, and “9”. Such a method of simultaneously betting on four numbers is referred to as “corner bet”.

Other betting methods may include the following methods: “split bet” on two numbers with a chip placed on a line between the two numbers; “street bet” on numbers in a single horizontal line with a chip placed at the edge of number at the end of the line (e.g., bet on “13”, “14”, and “15” with a chip located on an upper [in FIG. 7] end of the three numbers); “five bet” on “blank” (originally, “00”), “0”, “1”, “2”, and “3” (e.g., bet on the five grids with a chip place on the upper [in FIG. 7] end of the line between “blank” and “3”); “line bet” betting on numbers located on two horizontal lines (e.g., bet on “13” to “18” with a chip place on the upper [in FIG. 7] end of the line between “15” and “18”); “column bet” on a single column [vertical line] with a chip placed on each grid “2 to 1”; and “dozen bet” on sequential twelve numbers with a chip placed on each grid “1st 12”, “2nd 12”, or “3rd 12”. In addition, there are other betting methods: bet on colors of the number plates (“red” or “black”), “odd or even number”, or numbers “1 to 18” or “19 to 36”, by using six grids provided on the bottom of the betting board 60. Here, a payout per one chip (payout rate) for the winning is different with one another among these multiple betting methods.

The player specifies the bet area 72 (on a grid, or on a line forming grids) by touching on the screen to place a bet on the above-mentioned bet screen 61. As a result, the cursor 70 moves to the specified bet area 72.

Then, chips are bet on the specified bet area 72 by touching each of the bet buttons 66 (1-bet button 66A, 5-bet button 66B, 10-bet button 66C, and 100-bet button 66D). For example, when the 10-bet button 66C is pressed four times, then the 5-bet button 66B is pressed once, and then the 1-bet button 66A is pressed three times, the total 48 chips can be bet.

A construction of a control system of the roulette gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will now be described based on FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the roulette gaming machine.

As shown in FIG. 8, the roulette gaming machine 1 includes a server 13 and a plurality of stations 4 (12 stations in the present embodiment) connected to the server 13. The roulette device 3, the electroluminescence display 5, the launching device 19, and a ball detection sensor 75 are further connected to the server 13. Incidentally, the control system of the stations 4 will be described later in detail.

The server 13 is basically configured by a server CPU 81, a ROM 82 and a RAM 83 as an operation/control device for performing an entire control of the server 13, a timer 84 connected to the server CPU 81, the LCD 32 connected thereto via an LCD driving circuit 85, and the keyboard 33 (see FIG. 4).

The server CPU 81 executes various processes based on an input signal provided from each station 4 and data & programs stored in the ROM 82 & the RAM 83. The server CPU 81 transmits an instruction signal to each station 4 based on the process result to control each station 4 leadingly and executes the game. Further, the server CPU 81 drives motors of the roulette device 3 to launch the ball 27 and rotate the wheel 22. Furthermore, the server CPU 81 controls the pocket detection device for detecting the pocket into which the ball has fallen to determine the winning number. Then, the server CPU 81 performs a winning determination of chips which has been bet based on the winning number and bet information from each station 4, and computes a payout for each station 4.

The ROM 82 is constituted by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The ROM 82 stores programs that implements a basic function of the roulette gaming machine 1, programs that execute the notification of the maintenance time and the setting & management of the notification condition, payout rates of the roulette game (the number of credits to be paid out per chip when winning), programs that controls each station 4 leadingly, and the like.

On the other hand, the RAM 83 temporarily stores data relating to the bet information from each station 4, the winning number detected by the sensor, the current accumulated JP credits, the bonus pocket 24 (“00” in an initial setting) set on the bonus pocket setting screen 42, the process result of the server CPU 81, and the like.

The timer 84 for measuring time is also connected to the server CPU 81. Time information of the timer 84 is transmitted to the server CPU 81. The server CPU 81 rotates the wheel 22 and throws in the ball 27 to be descried later based on the time information.

The electroluminescence display 5 (see FIG. 1) is also connected to the server CPU 81. The server CPU 81 executes electric spectacular effect by controlling light emitting units such as LEDs. Further, the server CPU 81 executes an character presentation on the electroluminescence display 5. Furthermore, the server CPU 81 executes the presentation of the current accumulated JP credits on the JP credit display 15 of the electroluminescence display 5.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a payout storage area 82A storing the payout rates of the roulette game is provided in the ROM 82. The odds such as “x2” to “x36” are previously determined according to the betting methods (“straight bet”, “corner bet”, “split bet”, etc.) and stored in the payout storage area 82A as the payout rate for each bet area 72.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the RAM 83 provides a bet information storage area 83A for storing the player's bet information, a winning number storage area 83B for storing the number of a winning pocket detected by the pocket detection device, a JP accumulated storage area 83C for accumulatively storing 0.5% of bet credits, and a bonus pocket setting storage area 83D for storing the bonus pocket set on the bonus pocket setting screen 42 (see FIG. 6). Incidentally, the bet information is specifically information relating to bets in each station 4 such as the bet area 72, the number of bet chips (the number of bets), a betting method specified on the bet screen 61.

The launching device 19 is configured as a solenoid or spring plunger injector and the like and launches the bonus ball 18 into the path area 17. The server CPU 81 drives the launching device 19 to launch the bonus ball 18 and roll the bonus ball 18 along the path area 17 when the bonus game is executed.

The ball detection sensor 75 is an optical sensor provided on a bottom of each ball stopper 20 for detecting the ball stopper 20 at which the bonus ball 18 has been stopped. Therefore, the server CPU 81 may identify the ball stopper 20 based on the detection by the ball detection sensor 75 when the bonus ball 18 has been stopped at the ball stopper 20.

A construction of a control system of the station 4 according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing the control system of the station 4 according to the present embodiment. Here, twelve stations 4 have the basically same construction, and the construction will be described with one station 4 as an example.

The station 4 is configured by a station controller 90, and several peripheral devices & equipments, as shown in FIG. 9. The station controller 90 includes a station CPU 91, a ROM 92, and a RAM 93. The ROM 92 is constituted by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The ROM 92 stores programs that implements a basic function of the station 4, other various programs, and data tables required for controlling the station 4. Further the RAM 93 temporarily stores various data computed in the station CPU 91 and the player's possessing number of credits accumulated in the station 4, a betting status of chips, and the like.

The bet confirmation button 47, the cash-out button 48, and the help button 49 which are on the console 7 (see FIG. 1), are connected to the station CPU 91 respectively. The station CPU 91 controls the execution of various corresponding operations based on the operation signal output by pressing each button. Specifically, the station CPU 91 executes various processes based on the input signal supplied from the console 7 by the player's operation and data & programs stored in the ROM 92 & the RAM 93. The station CPU 91 transmits the result of the processes to the above-mentioned server CPU 81.

Further, the station CPU 91 advances the roulette game by controlling the peripheral equipments of the station 4 based on the instruction signal transmitted from the server CPU 81. Further, the station CPU 91 executes various processes based on the input signal supplied from the console 7 by the player's operation and the data & programs stored in the ROM 92 & the RAM 93 depending upon the contents of the processes. The station CPU 91 controls the above-mentioned peripheral equipments based on the result of the processes to advance the roulette game.

The hopper 94 is connected to the station CPU 91. A payout of a predetermined number of medals is provided by the hopper 94 from the medal payout opening 9 based on the instruction signal from the station CPU 91 (see FIG. 1).

The display panel 8 is connected to the station CPU 91 via the LCD driving circuit 95. The LCD driving circuit 95 includes a program ROM, an image ROM, an image control CPU, a work RAM, a VDP (video display processor), a video RAM, and the like. The program ROM stores an image control program relating to a display on the display panel 8 and various selection tables. Further, the image ROM stores, for example, dot data forming an image to be displayed on the display panel 8. Further, the image control CPU determines the image to be displayed on the display panel 8 from among the dot data in the image ROM according to the image control program in the program ROM based on parameters set on the station CPU 91. The work RAM is configured as a temporary storage device when the image control program is executed by the image control CPU. Further, the VDP forms the display image that has been determined by the image control CPU to output it to the display panel 8. In addition, the video RAM is configured as a temporary storage device when the VDP forms the image.

The touch screen 50 is provided on the surface of the display device 8 as described above. The operation information on the touch screen 50 is transmitted to the station CPU 91. The player's bet operation on the bet screen 61 is performed via the touch screen 50. Specifically, the touch screen 50 is operated when selecting the bet area 72 or operating the bet buttons 66. The operation information of the touch screen 50 is transmitted to the station CPU 91. Then, the bet information (the bet area 72 on the bet screen 61, the number of bet chips) is stored in the RAM 93 based on the operation information. The bet information is transmitted to the server CPU 81 and stored in the bet information storage area in the RAM 83.

A sound output circuit 96 and the speaker 10 are connected to the station CPU 91. The speaker 10 generates various effect sounds based on the output signal from the sound output circuit 96 when creating various effects.

A medal sensor 97 is connected to the station CPU 91. The medal sensor 97 detects medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 6 (FIG. 1), counts the inserted medals and transmits the result to the station CPU 91. Then, the station CPU 91 increases the number of the player's possessing credits stored in the RAM 93 based on the transmitted signal.

The WIN lamp 11 is connected to the station CPU 91. The station CPU 91 lights up the WIN lamp 11 with a predetermined color when the betting on the bet screen 61 has won in the base game or the bonus game.

Subsequently, in the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a server game process program executed by the server CPU 81, and a station game process program executed by the station CPU 91 in the station 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. In addition, each program shown in flow charts of FIGS. 12 and 13 is stored in the ROM 82 & the RAM 83 of the server 13, or the ROM 92 & the RAM 93 of the station 4 and is executed by the server CPU 81 or the station CPU 91.

First, the game process program on the station 4 will be described using the FIGS. 12 and 13. The station CPU 91 determines whether or not the player has inserted one or more medals or coins based on the detection signal of the medal sensor 97 (Step S1). When one or more medals or coins has not been inserted (NO, in S1), the CPU 91 holds the process until one at least one medal or coin is inserted. On the other hand, when one or more medals or coins are inserted (YES, in S1), the process moves to Step 2.

The credit data according to the number of insertion is recorded in the RAM 93 (Step S2). Subsequently, a medal insertion signal indicating that the one or more medals or coins have been inserted is transmitted to the server 13 (Step S3).

Further, the bet screen 61 in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display panel 8 of the station 4 (Step S4). Then, a betting period during which the player can place a bet is started (Step S5). Next, the player who participated in the game can place a bet on the bet area 72 relating to his/her expected number by operating the touch screen 50 during the betting period (see FIG. 7). Since the betting methods on the bet screen 61 has been already described, the description thereof is omitted here.

Further, the player can participate in the game of which the betting period has already started. In the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, up to 12 players may play the game. Further, acceptance of the bet operation is started immediately after the previous game has been finished, in a case where the next game is played subsequent to the previous game.

Then, the station 4 receives from the server CPU 81 a termination signal of the betting period indicating that the betting period has terminated (Step S6). Subsequently, an image for informing that the betting period has terminated is displayed on the display panel 8 of the station 4 and an acceptance of the bet operation on the touch screen 50 terminates (Step S7). Thereafter, the bet information (specified bet area 72, number of bets and a betting method) of the station 4 is transmitted to the server 13 (Step S8).

Next, it is determined whether or not an execution instruction of the bonus game is received from the server CPU 81 (Step 9, FIG. 13). The execution instruction of the bonus game is generated by the server CPU 81 when the ball 27 has fallen into the bonus pocket 24 at the roulette device 3. And then, the execution instruction of the bonus game is transmitted to each station 4 (S121, FIG. 14).

A bonus game effect process is executed (Step S10), when it is determined that the execution instruction of the bonus game has been received (YES, in S9). In the bonus game effect process, a half of a screen of the display panel 8 is made transmissive in order that the player can view the path area 17. Thereafter, the screen of the display panel 8 of each station 4 is flashed at the time when the bonus ball 18 is passing through. Alternatively, a character presentation is executed on the screen when the bonus ball 18 is passing through. Further, the effect for notifying the JP winning is executed on the display panel 8 of the station 4 at which the bonus ball 18 has stopped.

If it is determined that the execution instruction of the bonus game has not been received (NO, in S9), the process moves to Step S11.

The station 4 receives the payout result of credits transmitted from the server CPU 81 (Step S11). Here, the payout result of credits includes the payout result of the base roulette game on the bet screen 61 and the payout result of the JP credit in the bonus game.

After that, a payout is provided based on the payout result received in Step 11 (Step S12). Specifically, the payout of the base game (roulette game) and the credit data corresponding to the accumulated JP credit when having won the bonus game are recorded in the RAM 93. Thus, medals corresponding to the number of credits (normally, one medal per credit) stored in the RAM 93 are paid out from the medal payout opening 9 when the cash-out button 48 is pressed.

Thereafter, when the game will be continued at any of the stations 4, the process is returned to Step 4 and the betting period is started again. The roulette game process moves to the next game.

On the other hand, when the games are terminated at all the stations 4, the roulette game process terminates.

Next, the server game process program will be descried based on FIGS. 12 and 13. The server CPU 81 receives a medal insertion signal from the station CPU 91 and determines whether or not the player has inserted one or more medals or coins (Step 101). In the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the medal insertion signal is transmitted from the station CPU 91 of the station 4 to the server CPU 81 when one or more medals or coins have been inserted.

Then, a measurement of the betting period is started (Step S102), since a first player inserts one or more medals or coins. In addition, the betting period is started immediately after the previous game has been finished, in case where the next game is played subsequent to the previous game. The player who participated in the game can place a bet on the bet area 72 relating to his/her expected number via the touch screen 50 during the betting period.

Next, it is determined whether or not the remaining betting period becomes 5 seconds (Step 103). In addition, the remaining betting period is also displayed on the bet time display 69 on the display panel 8 (see FIG. 7). If it is determined that the remaining betting period has not become 5 seconds (NO, in S103), the server CPU 81 holds the process until the remaining betting period becomes 5 seconds. On the other hand, if it is determined that the remaining betting period becomes 5 seconds (YES, in Step S103), a winning determination process is executed by the roulette device 3 as descried below according to the game execution program.

Specifically, the ball throw-in device is driven to throw the ball 27 onto the roulette wheel (Step 104). Further, the driving motor is driven to rotate the wheel 22 in the direction opposite to the ball insertion direction at a predetermined rotating speed. The thrown-in ball 27 spins on the roulette wheel along the guide wall 29. As the rotation speed of the ball 27 decelerates and the centrifugal force of the ball 27 decreases, the ball 27 rolls down on the slope of the frame 21 to reach the rotating wheel 22 (see FIG. 3).

The ball 27 which has reached the wheel 22 passes over the plates 25, 26 on the outer periphery of the rotating wheel 22 and falls into any one of the pockets 23, 24. The number of the number plate 25 of the number pocket 23 into which the ball 27 has fallen (anyone of “0”, “1 to 36” in FIG. 3) is detected as the winning number. Otherwise, when the ball 27 has fallen into the bonus pocket 24, the bonus game is executed. The determination of the winning number and the execution determination of the bonus game are executed in Steps S110 and S111 to be described below.

Next to S104, it is determined whether or not the betting period has terminated (Step S105). If determined that the betting period has not terminated (NO, in S105), the process waits until the betting period terminates. On the other hand, if it is determined that the betting period has terminated (YES, in S105), the betting period termination signal is transmitted to the station CPU 91 (Step S106).

Next, the server 13 receives the bet information (specified bet area 72, the number of bets and a betting method) of each station 4 and stores the bet information in the bet information storage area 83A of the RAM 83 (Step S107).

Thereafter, 0.5% of the total bet credits received in S107 is accumulated as the JP credit recorded in the JP accumulation storage area 83C of the RAM 83 (Step S108). The indications of the JP credit display 15 and the JP display 73 are updated in accordance with the accumulation of the JP credits.

Next, the server CPU 81 drives the pocket detection device after the ball 27 has fallen into any one of the pockets 23, 24 to detect the pocket into which the ball 27 has fallen (Step S109).

Further, it is determined whether or not the bonus game is to be executed, namely, whether or not the ball 27 has fallen into the bonus pocket 24 based on the pockets detected in S109 (Step S110). If it is determined that the bonus game is not to be executed (NO, in S110), namely, the ball 27 has fallen into any of the number pockets 23, it is determined whether or not the bet chips at each station 4 have won based on the bet information of each station 4 received in S107 and the detected number pockets 23 detected in S109 (Step S111).

Subsequently, the server CPU 81 executes a payout calculation process (step S112). In the payout calculation process, the won chips which are bet on the winning number are confirmed with respect to each station 4, and the payout of the credits given to each station 4 is calculated with the payout rate (number of credits to be paid out per bet) stored in the payout storage area 82A in the ROM 82.

On the other hand, if determined that the bonus game is to be performed (YES, in S110), namely, if determined that the ball 27 has been received in the bonus pocket 24, the after-mentioned bonus game process (see FIG. 14) is executed (Step S113). In the bonus game process, the bonus ball 18 rolls along the path area 17, and the station 4 at which the ball 18 has finally stopped has won. The accumulated JP credits are paid out to the won station 4.

The server CPU 81 executes a transmission process of the payout result (the payout result of credits of the roulette game based on the payout calculation process in S112 and the payout result of the JP credits based on the bonus game process in S113) (Step S114). Specifically, the payout credit data of the base game is output to the station CPU 91 of the won station 4 in the base games, and the accumulated JP credit data is further output to the JP won station 4 in the bonus game.

The ball collecting device provided beneath the wheel 22 is driven to collect the ball 27 on the wheel 22 (Step S115). The collected ball 27 is thrown in on the wheel 22 again in the subsequent games.

Next, “the bonus game process” in the above-mentioned S113 will be described. FIG. 14 shows a sub flow chart showing “the bonus game process” which the server CPU 81 of the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment executes.

First, the server CPU 81 transmits the execution instruction of the bonus game to each station 4 (Step S121). Next, the bonus ball 18 is launched into the path area 17 at a predetermined speed by the launching device 19 (Step S122). The launched bonus ball 18 rolls inside the path area 17 in a counterclockwise direction.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the ball detection sensor 75 has detected the bonus ball 18, namely, whether or not the bonus ball 18 rolled along the path area 17 has stopped in any of the ball stopper 20 (Step S123).

Then, if it is determined that the ball detection sensor 75 has not detected the bonus ball 18 (NO, in S123), the process waits until the bonus ball 18 is detected. On the other hand, if it is determined that the bonus ball 18 has been detected (YES, in S123), the process moves to S124.

The station 4 at which the bonus ball 18 has stopped namely the station 4 which has won the bonus game is identified based on the detection result of the ball detection sensor 75.

Here, FIG. 15 is a chart showing a flow of the bonus game. As shown in FIG. 15, the bonus ball 18 starts rolling along the path area 17 when the bonus game starts. And then, the bonus ball 18 moves counterclockwise thorough a plurality of the stations 4. Thereafter, the bonus ball 18 gradually decelerates and finally stops in any of the ball stoppers 20 on the path area 17 (see FIG. 2). Consequently, the station 4A with the ball stopper 20 at which the bonus ball 18 has stopped is determined to have won the bonus game among a plurality of the stations 4.

As described above, in the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the bonus game is executed when the ball 27 has fallen into the bonus pocket 24 as the result of the determination of the winning number with the roulette device 3. When executing the bonus game, the launching device 19 launches the bonus ball 18 on the path area 17 (S122), and the station 4 at which the bonus ball 18 has stopped is determined to have won the bonus game. The JP payout is provided to the station 4 which has won the bonus game (S12). The use of the bonus ball 18 actually rolling inside the gaming machine in this way makes it possible to create a higher realistic sensation with respect to the bonus game, and the player can visually confirm the rolling bonus ball 18. Therefore, the player may easily understand the progress and the result of the bonus game, and a versatile game may be provided according to the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment.

Further, the bonus pocket(s) 24 is arranged on the wheel 22 in addition to the plurality of number pockets 23 to each of which an identification number is assigned. When the bonus ball 27 has fallen into the bonus pocket 24, the bonus game is executed to launch the bonus ball 18 on the path area 17. Thus, the position and the numbers of the bonus pockets 24 on the wheel 22 may be set without modifying the structure of the wheel 22, which allows to adjust the payout rate specifically.

Note that, the present invention is not limited to above-mentioned embodiment, but various improvement or modification may be apparently made without deviating from the essence of the present invention.

For example, the present embodiment is configured such that the bonus ball 18 rolls among a plurality of the stations 4 through the path area 17 in the bonus game. However, behavior of the bonus ball 18 is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, it may be configured such that the bonus ball 18 moves to reciprocate among the plurality of the stations 4 in the bonus game.

Further, the path area 17 on which the bonus ball 18 rolls may be provided not inside the station 4 but on a top surface or on a side of the station 4.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is configured such that the bonus game using the path area 17 and the bonus ball 18 is executed in a all-in-one type multi-player gaming machine 1. However, the bonus game using the path area 17 and the bonus ball 18 may be applied to a plurality of stand-alone type gaming machines (single player gaming machines) For example, the single player gaming machine may be connected to other plurality of gaming machines via LAN or the like, among which the JP is shared. FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a plurality of slot machines 101 which are connected via a LAN and the like with one another.

As shown in FIG. 16, a path area 102 passing inside cabinets of the plurality of the slot machines 101 is provided, and a ball stopper 103 is provided on a position corresponding to each slot machine 101 on the path area 102. The bonus game with use of the bonus ball 104 which moves inside the path area 102 is executed when the bonus game is executed at any of the slot machines 101. Further, the JP payout awarded to the slot machine 101 at which the bonus ball 104 has stopped enables to provide the bonus game with a higher realistic sensation also in the single player gaming machine.

As mentioned above, it is configured such that the ball (bonus ball) which passes through a plurality of game terminals in a predetermined order is rolled along the path area. And the special payout is provided to the game terminal in which the ball has stopped. In this way, the use of the ball actually rolling inside the machine may create a high realistic sensation. Simultaneously, the player can visually confirm the ball which rolls along the path area passing through the plurality of game terminals. Therefore, a versatile game which the player may easily understand may be provided.

Furthermore, the game includes the base game and the special game. If it is determined to execute the special game, the ball (bonus ball) is launched into the path area. This makes it possible for the player to execute the special game with a higher sense of expectancy given. Further, in the special game, executing the game using the ball which rolls through the game terminals may create a higher realistic sensation.

Furthermore, when at least one pocket is specified among the number pockets, the number of the specified number pocket is detected as the winning number. This enables to provide a versatile game in the roulette gaming machine using the wheel and the ball.

As mentioned above, the bonus pocket is set among the plurality of number pockets, and the special game is executed when the bonus pocket is specified by the pocket specifying unit. This makes it possible for the player to execute the special game with a higher sense of expectancy given. Further, the game using the ball which rolls through the game terminals in the special game may create a higher realistic sensation. 

1. A multi-player gaming machine comprising: a plurality of game terminals having a console for accepting a player's operation; a game control unit configured to control a game; a payout unit configured to provide a payout to the game terminal according to an operation result on the console and an outcome of the game controlled by the game control unit; a path area formed through a plurality of the game terminals; a ball rolling through the plurality of the game terminals along the path area in a predetermined order; a stop unit formed in each of the game terminals and configured to stop the ball rolling on the path area; and a special payout unit configured to provide a special payout to the game terminal in which the ball has been stopped by the stop unit.
 2. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a launching unit configured to launch the ball into the path area; wherein the game controlled by the game control unit includes a base game and a special game which is different from the base game, the multi-player gaming machine further comprises a special game execution determining unit configured to determine whether or not to execute the special game, and the launching unit launches the ball into the path area when the special game execution determining unit determines to execute the special game.
 3. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 2 further comprising: a wheel on which a plurality of number pockets is arranged; a pocket specifying unit configured to specify at least one number pocket among the plurality of number pockets; and a winning number detecting unit configured to detect a number of the number pocket specified by the pocket specifying unit as a winning number, wherein the payout unit provides a payout based on the winning number detected by the winning number detecting unit.
 4. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 3 further comprising a bonus pocket setting unit configured to set a predetermined number pocket as a bonus pocket among the plurality of number pockets, wherein the launching unit launches the ball into the path area when the bonus pocket has been specified by the pocket specifying unit.
 5. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the game terminals is arranged circularly, and the path area is circularly formed through the plurality of the game terminals.
 6. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the path area is a lane formed as a groove or a tube on which the ball rolls, and the stop unit is a concave provided on the lane.
 7. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the stop unit is provided in each of the game terminals.
 8. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game controlled by the game control unit includes a base game and a special game which is different from the base game; the base game is a roulette game; and the special game is a game in which the ball is rolled on the path area to provide the special payout.
 9. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein the stop unit is visible from the player during the special game.
 10. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 9, wherein the stop unit is not visible from the player during the base game.
 11. A gaming method of a multi-player gaming machine having a plurality of game terminals with a console for accepting a player's operation, the gaming method comprising: executing a base game in which a payout is provided to the game terminal in accordance with the operation on the console; and executing a special game in which a ball is rolled on a path area formed through a plurality of the game terminals and a special payout is provided to the game terminal at which the ball has been stopped.
 12. The gaming method of a multi-player gaming machine according to claim 11, further comprising: determining whether or not to execute the special game, and launching the ball into the path area when it is determined to execute the special game.
 13. The gaming method of a multi-player gaming machine according to claim 12, wherein the base game is a roulette game.
 14. The gaming method of a multi-player gaming machine according to claim 13, wherein the special game is executed when a predetermined number pocket set as a bonus pocket has specified a winning number pocket in the base game. 